OMG A SPORT THAT'S NOT GOING TO LOCKOUT WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR! preview

So while we await the small amount of Madness still left that will actually take place in April, it is now time to look ahead to the next thing that the sports gods give us on our calendar. And that is the start of Major League Baseball. As we all remember last year, a team that couldn't hit outhit a team that couldn't pitch (which got there on its pitching...) to win the 2010 World Series.

So let's look ahead and preview what will most likely not happen in 2011!


NATIONAL LEAGUE

East

1. PHILLIES -

Good Stuff - Halladay! Lee! Oswalt! Hamels! OMG so many good pitchers! The starters will obviously be the main strength of this club, and the club has to like the good spring training it got from question mark players such as Wilson Valdez and Ben Francisco, both of which will be key players as the Phils try to stay above water in the first half of the year. Then the plan is to get Utley and everyone healthy for the second half, and probably sign another ace or something ridiculous like that.

Bad Stuff - It might not be a huge concern in 2011, but everyone is getting older. Rollins, Howard, IBANEZ all probably not as young as they like to think they are. Also, the bullpen already starts with a Brad Lidge injury, which could be a blessing in disguise, but most likely no one will make the most of the opportunity and knowing Charlie Manuel, its gonna go back to Lidge when he gets healthy (for better or worse).

Win total: 91

2. Braves

Good Stuff - They have the players and talent to go toe-to-toe with the Phillies, and probably have a better opening day lineup. Youngsters Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman should keep them solid for years to come, and if Nitram Odarp has anywhere near a season he had last year they will be tough to beat. Hanson, Hudson, and Lowe make a solid top of the rotation as well.

Bad Stuff - I like Dan Uggla, but why move Odarp out of 2nd when he is a way better defensive 2nd baseman than the man who single handedly won the 2008 All-Star game (for the AL)? Also, what are they going to do when Larry inevitably gets injured without All-Star Omar Infante!?

Win total: 89

3. Marlins

Good Stuff - Josh Johnson is amazing, and honestly might be the only pitcher who can go toe-to-toe with Halladay. However, there are concerns with his health after being shut down last September. Their lineup from top to bottom is actually filled with underrated hitters who can catch fire... and Hanley Ramirez; it's always nice to have him on your team.

Bad Stuff - It's not often I'd rather take the Phillies bullpen than another team's. And that's how I feel about the Marlins'. Also, is Javier Vasquez being back in the NL East really going to make him good again? And if so, wtf?

Win total: 83

4. Nationals

Good Stuff - Their offense should score some runs with a 2-3-4 of Werth, Zimmerman, LaRoche and they are solid defensively all around. I think their bullpen, which is young, is still one of the best in the division.

Bad Stuff - Livan is their opening day starter. Um, yeah.

Win total: 78

5. Mets

Good Stuff - If they can stay healthy, their 1-5 is definitely no joke. R.A. Dickey is a puzzle and a half for opposing batters, and a fairly easy April will make the Mets unfortunately relevant at least til the all-star break.

Bad Stuff - Even if Pelfrey and Dickey have good seasons, the rest of the rotation is mediocre at best. Also, Carlos Beltran is not the defensive stud he once was. The bullpen other than K-Rod has holes as well. Also, they are broke.

Win total: 77


Central

1. Reds

Good stuff - The lineup was tops in the league, and figures to be just as good this year, although Paul Janish is a slight drop off from Orlando Cabrera. Young pitchers Travis Wood and Mike Leake give their rotation depth, and Alrodis Chapman is just straight up fun to watch.

Bad Stuff - Edinson Volquez (because of injuries) and Bronson Arroyo (because he's Bronson Arroyo) are both question marks, and how will the bullpen survive without All-Star Arthur Rhodes?!?

Win total: 87

2. Brewers

Good Stuff - The additions of Greinke and Marcum along with Yovani Gallardo give the Brew Crew a real strong front of the rotation. Weeks and Gomez are a nice pair of tablesetters, and I'm guessing Prince likes his table set (#lolfatjoke). Braun and Fielder are still one of the best 3-4 combos, and Axford had a great last season (because that really matters for closers)

Bad Stuff - Not that deep of a bench, plus adding Betancourt makes the entire infield weak defensively. In fact, it's probably not a good thing when your best defensive player, though he now plays left field, used to be nicknamed "E5".

Win total: 86

3. Cardinals

Good Stuff - They still currently own Pujols, so that's a good thing. Also Matt Holliday is as underrated a player can be whose getting paid that much money. Chris Carpenter is one of the best in the league, though he doesn't have his partner in crime Wainwright. Also, Colby Rasmus is one of my favorite young players in the league.

Bad Stuff - I don't think placing Lance Berkman in the outfield in an everyday role is the smartest move Tony LaRussa's ever done. The back of the rotation is weak, and Ryan Franklin is not going to have a good season (I don't have any basis for that claim, but trust me, he's not.)

Win Total: 83

4. Cubs

Good Stuff - Carlos Pena and Matt Garza were nice pickups. It's like they're trying to emulate the Rays. And, sure, that's the franchise in the AL East I'd want to emulate too.

Bad Stuff - I never know where to place the Cubs. When they're expected to be good, they aren't. When they aren't, then they surprise you, until inevitably they choke. Someone compared them to VCU and picked them to win the wild card. ... No.

Win Total: 80

5. Astros

Good Stuff - I actually really like the Astros this year, but I just don't have the stones to pick them ahead of any of the other teams. Brett Myers has seemed to find his groove again (of course I know that won't last) and J.A. Happ will still remain a very good but not great pitcher that people will just under appreciate.

Bad Stuff - Try to name someone in their infield. I'll wait.... ...... Exactly.

Win Total: 72

6. Pirates

Good Stuff - Andrew Mount is now a fan

Bad Stuff - C'mon, it's the Pirates.

Win Total: 70


West

1. Rockies

Good Stuff - Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez are 2 of the best players in the game, Ubaldo is a stud, Chacin and De La Rosa are respectable 2-3 starters, and the lineup is solid enough to go head to head with the Reds.

Bad Stuff - They don't have the rotation of SF, but they can outhit them. But their noticeable difference from the giants is the bullpen. The Rox remind me a lot of the 2007 Phillies: young, likeable, led by two young sluggers, one ace and a decent rotation...all they need is a cocky sparkplug to announce they are the team to beat.

Win total: 94

2. Giants

Good Stuff - They definitely have the best rotation not in Philly. Lincecum had a shaky September, but made up for it in October, erasing any doubts that might have arose. They also get Buster Adorbsface Posey for a full year this time, and even when they run out of production from Aubrey Huff, they shouldn't lose a beat by calling up Romo's ROY pick Brandon Belt.

Bad Stuff - What if role players of the order hit like Andres Torres, Mark DeRosa, Pat Burrell, Miguel Tejada and Mike Fontenot? Also, Miguel Tejada defensively at shortstop... I guess they figured they could win with Edgar Renteria, so what the hell right? Also, is Cody Ross not on their opening day lineup? How did this team win the WS last year again?

Win total: 90


3. Dodgers

Good Stuff - The rotation is solid as always, but they will only go as far as Kemp Eithier and Loney can hit them. Clayton Kershaw is only 22 and going to get better.

Bad Stuff - They lost J Russell Martin, and now replace him with Rod f#cking Barajas. I expect him to go 7-12 when playing the Phils with 4 HR's. Also, Jonathan Broxton hasn't been the same since he saw Matt Stairs.

Win total: 84

4. Diamondbacks

Good Stuff - Another sleeper team, but I can't pick them any higher (I toyed with them at 3rd). Ian Kennedy and Daniel Hudson are going to turn the corner and play like Mat Latos and Kevin Correia last year for the Padres, and Joe Saunders is still a respectable starter. Justin Upton is going to have that breakout year we thought he was gonna have last year, and Kelly Johnson, Chris Young, Stephen Drew and Miguel Montero should surprise as well.

Bad Stuff - Yeah, the bottom of that rotation isn't good (what up Aaron Heilman) and neither is the bullpen. Plus there's a good chance none of the good stuff I listed actually happens.

Win total: 80

5. Padres

Good Stuff - they play good defense and pitch well and somehow were relevant until way too late last year.

Bad Stuff - They will go back to being the Padres.

Win total: 73



American League

East

1. Red Sox

Good Stuff - The additions of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez are superb, and their 1-5 will produce a ridiculous amount of runs. Runs that their rotation of Lester Lackey Beckett and Bucholz won't need many of. Plus they have Varitek on the bench whenever they want to get one of them a no-hitter.

Bad Stuff - I don't trust Papelbon anymore, but the thing is now they have more than able replacements in Jenks and Bard if Terry Francona agrees with me. Also, it would probably help not getting as injured as they did last year...probably.

Win total: 97

2. Yankees

Good Stuff - They still have the best lineup in the division, and CC is as good of an ace as you will find. Ivan Nova can't be as bad as Javier Vasquez was in that park, and look for Phil Hughes to pitch even better than he did last year.

Bad Stuff - Their bench took a hit, but honestly it'll most likely get better around August like it normally does. Freddy Garcia is their fifth starter, so I think I should mention that here. Oh, and losing Andy Pettitte probably wasn't a plus either.

Win total: 90

3. Rays

Good Stuff - Manny and Damon united again! No matter what, they'll definitely be fun to watch!

Bad Stuff - I mean Kyle Farnsworth is currently their closer.

Win total: 88

4. Orioles

Good Stuff - Ever since Buck Showalter came in midseason last year, they have played with pride. The additions of Derek Lee and Vlad should provide some much needed power, and it's probably about time the young rotation starts showing some promise.

Bad Stuff - They showed some promise last year, but a rotation led by Jeremy Guthrie? No thanks.

Win total: 80

5. Blue Jays

Good Stuff - I mean if Jose Bautista has anywhere near as good a season as last year that would be a plus. Ricky Romero has always been a favorite of mine, but is he an ace? The bullpen is actually pretty solid.

Bad Stuff - Shaky rotation, shaky lineup. No thanks.

Win total: 79


Central

1. White Sox

Good Stuff - I picked them to win it last year, and apparently haven't learned my lesson. The addition of Adam Dunn should give them even more power, to go along with the amount provided by Alex Rios and Paul Konerko. Still a very good rotation even without Jake Peavy.

Bad Stuff - Having owned Matt Thorton in fantasy last year, and watching the All-star game this year, I can safely say that I don't trust him as a closer.

Win total: 84

2. Twins

Good Stuff - Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau both said that they would remain healthy for an entire season! Another great lineup, and a solid top of the rotation make them a contender again as usual.

Bad Stuff - I no longer trust Joe Nathan, or their bullpen at all. They also have an awful first month schedule wise.

Win total: 82

3, Tigers

Good Stuff - Victor Martinez is a great addition, and the rotation is bulstered with the addition of Brad Penny. Verlander after April is as good as they come.

Bad Stuff - I know nobody on their bench.

Win total: 81

4. Indians

Good Stuff - Carlos Santana is an up and comer, and thats about it. Their rotation is better than KC's.

Bad Stuff - Everything else not mentioned in the good stuff.

Win total: 69

5. Royals

Win total: 67


West

1. Rangers

Good Stuff - I am really surprised that so many people are not picking the Rangers to win the division again. Believe me, there was more to their pennant winning run than this man.

Bad Stuff - I mean, I like Adrian Beltre and he had an amazing season last year, but really, he's your cleanup hitter? Also, back end of the rotation is not that good.

Win total: 87

2. Angels

Good Stuff - Love the rotation led by Jered Weaver and Danny Haren. Vernon Wells is a nice addition, and the bullpen should be solid and has options if Fernando Rodney should screw up.

Bad Stuff - Lineup is fairly weak, and needs Kendry Morales to return asap.

Win total: 85

3. A's

Good stuff - They have a nice young rotation, but I think that they are a year away from making a significant move in the standings. Andrew Bailey is a good closer, and the additions in the lineup should help them score runs significantly more.

Bad stuff - I don't know how great a cleanup hitter Josh Willingham is, but then I look at the rest of their lineup, and thought, yeah, I guess I'd put him there too.

Win total: 81

4. Mariners

I'm not getting fooled again.

Win total: 74


Playoff teams:
NL:
Phillies
Reds
Rockies
Giants (WC)

AL:
Red Sox
White Sox
Rangers
Yankees (WC)

World Series:

Red Sox over Rockies

To Whom It May Concern

I'm still here.

Been doing other things.

Still have thoughts that are worth writing.

Just kept them to myself recently.

Don't worry. I'll be back soon.

Gonna post a baseball preview and a couple other goodies soon.

Romo loves you.